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Top graduates return to Lakeland High School class of 2025
Lakeland High School has two designated top graduates for the first time in six years.
The school board agreed to reinstate valedictorian and salutatorian last summer. The designation begins with the class of 2025.
The board eliminated the naming of top graduates and class rankings in 2016; the policy became effective with the class of 2019. Officials said at the time they got rid of the rankings to produce well-rounded students who care for challenging themselves more than taking easier classes to improve their grade point averages.
Senior Faith Wormuth is this year's valedictorian and fellow senior Evan Berlinski was named salutatorian, the first top graduates with the designations since 2018.
Faith, 18, said she found out the designation returned earlier in the school year.
'That's when I learned that I was first in the class,' the Mayfield resident said. 'I was obviously very surprised but … it's an honor.'
Faith, who graduated with her identical twin sister Deanna Wormuth, said the top designation shows how hard she's worked and how dedicated she is. The twins plan to attend Loyola University Maryland in the fall, with Faith majoring in nursing and Deanna studying forensic science.
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Faith Wormuth, valedictorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (SUBMITTED)
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Evan Berlinski, salutatorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (PATRICK CARRUBE/SUBMITTED)
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Faith Wormuth, valedictorian, Lakeland High School class of 2025 (SUBMITTED)
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'It's just gratifying to see that my work is noticed,' Faith said.
Evan, 18, also said he was honored to be named one of the school's top graduates. While he was aware he was one of the top students in the class, the Greenfield Twp. resident didn't expect he would be named salutatorian.
Evan, who plans to study computer science and play soccer at Elizabethtown College, said the designation shows how hard he has worked, as he balanced academics with playing soccer and participating in track and field.
'I feel like my hard work paid off,' he said.
Prior to the designations being reinstated, Lakeland was the only school district in Lackawanna County to not name valedictorian and salutatorian.
Board members reinstated the class rank policy in October. Under it, students in grades 9-12 are ranked by grade point average, with the ranking entered on the student's records. Students who have the same GPA are ranked together.
Class rank does not appear on transcripts. If a higher-education institution requests a student's rank, the district will communicate it directly to the institution, according to the policy.
The board began discussing reinstating the designations last spring after a parent advocated for them to be brought back.
The high school also grants Lambda Eta Sigma status to seniors. Students who wish to earn the designation have to meet a number of academic, extracurricular and attendance requirements. Eleven seniors, including Evan, earning the designation this year, Principal Carmella Bullick said.
Superintendent Marc Wyandt, Ed.D., said the return of a valedictorian and salutatorian is exciting for the district and community.
'We are fortunate to enjoy tremendous community support, and naming a valedictorian and salutatorian is a point of pride that I think everyone shares in,' he said.
Bullick said it feels great to have the designations return.
'I think it definitely honors the academic accolades of our highest-achieving students,' she said.
Lakeland's top graduates were among 102 seniors who graduated on Friday at the Scott Twp. school.
